Smart Open-Burning Practices
Just about everyone who lights a fire contributes to smoke-caused air pollution. Here are some important ways you can help clear the air:
- Burn only during good venting conditions. Check the Ventilation
Index first, to see if the local air conditions are appropriate for burning.
- Instead of burning your leaves and clippings, start a backyard compost. Both the air and your garden will benefit! If your town has a community compost, take your organic leftovers
there. Some communities even have pick-up services for yard and garden debris, making it even easier to remove this waste without burning it. For more information, see Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC): Directory of Alternatives to Open Burning.
- Never burn your garbage or prohibited materials, such as tires, plastics, treated wood, paper and cardboard. Reduce waste at its source by avoiding overpackaging. And recycle everything
you can! Use your community recycling depots!
- Don't use laden with salt from exposure to sea water. It releases dioxins and furans, which are very toxic.
- When using a wood stove or fireplace, make sure the combustion is efficient so that it releases the least possible amount of smoke. Here are some tips:
- Ensure that your wood is properly seasoned in a dry place for at least six months.
- Burn small, hot, and controlled fires with good air ventilation. Don't overload your stove with too much wood or starve the fire of air.
- Don't start fires with diesel or other fuel.
- Don't burn when the smoke won't dissipate from the area, such as on cold, clear and calm nights (nocturnal inversion).
- Be aware of any "no-burn" periods in your
community, and follow the rules.
- Spread the news! Tell your friends and neighbours how they can reduce their burning and make their fires more efficient — for the sake of everyone's health and comfort.
See also Open Burning and Your Health, by the BC Lung Association (PDF: 466
KB/2 pages) for more information on what you, your community and local government can do to reduce open burning.
Explore the links below for more information on smart burning practices, and fire regulations.
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